How amazing that Adam Vinatieri, 42, remains such an elite placekicker after all these years. It was way back in 1996 that Bill Parcells gave him a job with the Patriots that had been held by Matt Bahr. Later that season, Vinatieri was kicking in the Super Bowl against Brett Favre, Desmond Howard and the Packers. He would, of course, go on to make some of the most famous kicks in Super Bowl history in later years. Next season will be Vinatieri's 10th with the Colts. He spent 10 with the Patriots. Anyway, Vinatieri missed a field goal for the first time all season Sunday, from 46 yards, leaving Gary Anderson (Minnesota, 1998), Jeff Wilkins (St. Louis, 2000) and Mike Vanderjagt (Indianapolis, 2003) as the only kickers to make all of their attempts in a regular season.

Geno Smith looked like a competent quarterback, throwing for 358 yards and three touchdown passes as the Jets closed a miserable season with a 37-24 victory at Miami. So that's it for the Rex Ryan era, it appears. It was successful early, entertaining always. General manager John Idzik is likely out of a job, too. His era? Short, unsuccessful and entertaining only that one afternoon when he held a press conference and embarrassed himself. ... It sounds as ifTom Coughlinwill be back with the Giants, even after a 34-26 home loss to the Eagles left his team at 6-10. The one terrific takeaway from this season: Odell Beckham Jr., who had 12 catches for a career-high 185 yards Sunday, has a chance to be the most electrifying player in the NFL for the next, say, 10 years. … The Ravens defeated the Browns and, with that and the Chargers' loss to Kansas City, claimed the final AFC playoff spot. Philip Rivers had 291 passing yards but two interceptions and no touchdowns in San Diego's win-and-you're-in 19-7 loss.

J.J. Watt put an exclamation point on yet another dominant season. The Houston defensive end had three sacks, giving him 20 1/2 and making him the first NFL player with 20-plus in two seasons. MVP? He doesn't have to be in order to validate his greatness. At 25, he's already the greatest defensive force in football and will continue to be for quite some time. … Johnny Manziel famously talked about wrecking the NFL. All he's wrecked so far — damaged at least — is his own career and that of some teammates. Several Browns players reportedly attended a party thrown by Manziel Friday night, and some were either fined or suspended for being late for various responsibilities the next day. Receiver Josh Gordon was even suspended. …Howie Dickenman's Central Connecticut team put up a fight for 10 minutes or so in a game against UConn that was tied 20-20. But the kid he recruited, Kevin Ollie, and the Huskies ultimately breezed to an 81-48 victory at the XL Center.